Page changed: Metformin
Added section discussing the latest studies documenting Metformin's ability to prevent heart disease by improving endothelial function.
This idea has been floating around for years, though there wasn't definitive proof of it. A relatively small study published in March 2009 supports the idea.
Long-term Effects of Metformin on Metabolism and Microvascular and Macrovascular Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Kooy et all. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169 (6), 616-625 DOI: 19307526
A presentation at the 2009 European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) described research which may point to why metformin is so effective.
You can read about it here:
Diabetes in Control: Metformin Improves Endothelial Function in Type 2 Diabetes
This study examined a series of factors associated with endothelial function--i.e. the function of the linings of the blood vessels. It demonstrated significant improvements in the 196 patients who took metformin over a period of up to 4.3 years.
Compared to those on placebo plus insulin those on metformin experienced highly significant drops in plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWf), soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1).
The drop in C-Reactive Protein--a measure strongly linked to the risk of inflammation-related heart attack was 17%.
Since all the other oral drugs prescribed for diabetes have either been linked to increased heart attacks (sulfonylureas) or produce heart failure (Avandia and Actos) this data should reinforce the idea that metformin is the safest of the oral diabetic drugs and the one most likely to improve health outcomes long term.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
FDA Adds Pancreatitis Warning to Januvia and Janumet Prescribing Information
Page changed: Januvia
Added information that FDA has added a warning about the association of pancreatitis with Januvia, including the information that "Furthermore, 47 of the 88 cases (53%) resolved once sitagliptin was discontinued."
Doctors are advised to warn patients prescribed Januvia of the symptoms of pancreatitis so they can be taken off the drug.
If you are on Januvia, has your doctor warned you about the symptoms of pancreatitis? If not, ask your doctor why. The doctor probably doesn't know of this latest issue with Januvia, as they usually don't know of the others, either.
Added information that FDA has added a warning about the association of pancreatitis with Januvia, including the information that "Furthermore, 47 of the 88 cases (53%) resolved once sitagliptin was discontinued."
Doctors are advised to warn patients prescribed Januvia of the symptoms of pancreatitis so they can be taken off the drug.
If you are on Januvia, has your doctor warned you about the symptoms of pancreatitis? If not, ask your doctor why. The doctor probably doesn't know of this latest issue with Januvia, as they usually don't know of the others, either.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Added Fish Oil to The "Helpful Supplements" Page
Page Changed: Helpful Supplements for Diabetes
Added the text from today's Diabetes Update blog post, Fish Oil Yes--But Not From Fish , to the web page about helpful supplements.
Added the text from today's Diabetes Update blog post, Fish Oil Yes--But Not From Fish , to the web page about helpful supplements.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Added Onglyza to Summary Page
Page Changed: Diaetes Drugs - Quick Summary
Added Onglyza to table and provided link to page discussing Onglyza.
Added Onglyza to table and provided link to page discussing Onglyza.
Metformin May Have Anti-Cancer Properties
Page Changed: Metformin
Added citations to two studies suggesting that metformin has anti-cancer properties, using information discussed in this Diabetes Update blog post.
Two New Studies Support Utility of Metformin
Added citations to two studies suggesting that metformin has anti-cancer properties, using information discussed in this Diabetes Update blog post.
Two New Studies Support Utility of Metformin
Split Metformin, Acarbose and Sulfonylurea Page to New Pages
Page changed: Metformin, Acarbose and Drugs that Stimulate Insulin Secretion
Divided this page into separate pages:
Meformin
Acarbose
Sulfonylureas and glitinides
Divided this page into separate pages:
Meformin
Acarbose
Sulfonylureas and glitinides
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
FDA Adds More Drugs to List of Those that Combine with Glyburide to Cause Hypos
Page changed: Metformin, Acarbose, and Drugs that Stimulate Insulin Secretion
Added this text:
The following drugs are known to increase the effect of sulfonylurea drugs which can cause dangerous hypos:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [Ibuprofen, Motril, Advil etc], clarithromycin, and other drugs that are highly protein bound, such as salicylates [aspirin], sulfonamides [Septra, Bactrim, etc], chloramphenicol, coumarins, probenecid, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and ß-adrenergic blocking agents [Beta Blockers like Toprol and others].
In August of 2009 The FDA added a new warning about combining Glyburide with disopyramide [Norpace], fluoxetine [Prozac], and quinolones [Cipro and other "floxin" antibiotics].
Added this text:
The following drugs are known to increase the effect of sulfonylurea drugs which can cause dangerous hypos:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [Ibuprofen, Motril, Advil etc], clarithromycin, and other drugs that are highly protein bound, such as salicylates [aspirin], sulfonamides [Septra, Bactrim, etc], chloramphenicol, coumarins, probenecid, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and ß-adrenergic blocking agents [Beta Blockers like Toprol and others].
In August of 2009 The FDA added a new warning about combining Glyburide with disopyramide [Norpace], fluoxetine [Prozac], and quinolones [Cipro and other "floxin" antibiotics].
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